Entrepreneur Archive:
Gaskin, Hill, Norcross

Springfield Architecture Firm Finds Solid Source of Business Inspiration, Know-How

Gaskin, Hill, Norcross — Springfield, MO
Assisted by:
Rayanna Anderson, Small Business Development Center at Missouri State University

Architecture is their business. That's what the experts at the Springfield, Mo., firm of Gaskin, Hill, Norcross (GHN) know best ... along with engineering, planning and interior design.

They know their business. But a few years ago they also knew they lacked business savvy. That's when GHN turned to the business experts with the Small Business Development Center at Missouri State University.

GHN traces its roots to 1930; the Springfield office opened in the early '80s. It specializes in building-design projects for healthcare facilities, college campuses and public institutions. Formerly the firm's day-to-day business details were handled by an affiliate office in Arkansas.

But a couple of years ago the opportunity arose for the Springfield office to establish itself as an independent firm. Charles Hill, head of the Springfield operation, and his colleagues jumped at the chance. That's when the architecture professionals began concentrating on learning the nitty-gritty details of running a business that the SBDC training offered.

"We first learned of the SBDC when we received the Training and Resource Catalog in the mail," says Jean Stoops, former GHN administrative assistant and current business manager. "The thing that caught my eye was the class entitled 'Understanding Financial Statements.' The description had something in it about the class being for non-financial managers, which made me feel it would be understandable and not above our heads."

Charles Hill (seated, right), head of GHN, in the firm's conference room with co-owners (clockwise from Hill) Ken Stufflebeam, Joe Vejraska and Paul Melgren.

Hill, who has headed the Springfield office since 1981, agreed with Stoops. They needed a better understanding of fundamental business principles to enable them to operate their business better. So they both enrolled in the financial statements class offered by the MSU SBDC.

"What we actually discovered was that there was much more to learn," says Stoops. "We were very impressed with the quality of instruction and information, and realized other classes in the (Financial Management) series would be beneficial. We learned ways to analyze and utilize financial information for better business management."

Subsequently GHN received one-on-one consultation from Rayanna Anderson, business consultant and assistant director of the SBDC in Springfield. Anderson worked with Stoops and Hill to analyze the firm's financial data and compare it to national norms in GHN's industry.

"This evaluation helped determine our strengths and identify areas needing improvement," Stoops explains. "Our challenge was to learn more about good business practices. We knew how to be good architects and engineers, but (we) had much to learn about business to become a more profitable and responsive company."

So Hill, Stoops and other members of the firm embarked on a series of business classes offered by the SBDC to improve their understanding and execution of essential business practices.

• Stoops attended the class on developing a business plan. Through it she acquired an overall perspective on business planning and an understanding of the tools needed to influence the direction of the company: "I feel it was an important part of my professional development that led to my promotion as business manager."
  
  
• As leader of the firm, Hill took a class on human resources and personnel law. He found the class full of practical suggestions to better protect the company and its employees, and to better manage employee information.
  
  
• Several GHN staffers – including Stoops; Dwayne Calhoun, senior vice president; and Julie Dame, marketing clerk – took a class entitled "Develop a Winning Marketing Plan." The class exposed them to the process and methodology of creating a marketing plan for the company. It exceeded their expectations, helping motivate them to develop specific marketing strategies and tactics to meet client needs and expand the firm's customer base.
  
  
• GHN's entire management team participated in THINKtegic™, a strategic forum, aimed at evaluating and broadening a company's long-term vision. With this process GHN's managers focused on the firm's strengths and weaknesses, identified specific goals and learned about the tools and adjustments necessary to reach those goals. It made them think about the specifics of why they were in business and what they wanted the firm to be.

Jean Stoops, GHN business manager, along with Charles Hill and other members of the firm discovered valuable business information from the experts at the Missouri State University SBDC.

The result of all this concentrated training and consultation is a much improved, independent company.

"Overall, we have a much greater perspective of what is required to operate a profitable business, while practicing architecture and engineering," Hill confesses. "Rayanna and the SBDC staff brought new vision to our company (enabling) its successful continuation as a viable business enterprise."

The extended series of classes, which involved more than half the members of the firm, created some added yet unexpected benefits, too. As each member of the firm concentrated on mastering previously unfamiliar business topics, the joint learning experience promoted camaraderie among the colleagues.

"Seeing your boss and co-workers out of their element gives you a new perspective, helping to foster more of team environment," declares Stoops.

From a results standpoint, all this effort and new direction for the firm has had a positive impact leading to a 27 percent workforce increase (from 11 to 14 employees), the securing of a $425,000 business expansion loan, and a jump in sales of $474,000, according to the SBDC's Anderson, GHN's unofficial business mentor.

And yet with all these improvements in business execution, the folks at GHN are not about to declare complete self-satisfaction with their new-found knowledge.

"You do not 'graduate' from learning (at) the SBDC," Stoops admits. "Expanded course offerings from this valuable resource allow for continual improvement in our business practices. We look forward to more opportunities to work with the SBDC in the future, helping evaluate and develop our business."

GHN | Architects Engineers
300 S. Jefferson Ste. 301
Springfield, MO 65806
Phone: 417-869-0719
Fax: 417-869-3044
E-mail: jstoops@ghnaes.com

---

Featured Entrepreneurs and Client Showcase Archive

Manufacturer Billy Goat Industries of Lee's Summit - manufacturer of outdoor power equipment Eyes of the World of Rolla - manufacturer of high-quality intraocular lenses for humans and animals ISW Group, Inc., of St. Louis - manufacturer of a skin-care product for African Americans suffering with dermatological problems The Newberry Group of St. Louis - developer of computer security systems Patric Chocolate of Columbia - gourmet chocolate maker Pogue Label and Screen of St. Louis - a specialist in printing labels on plastic containers Renewable Alternatives of Columbia - specializing in the engineering of phase change materials to ensure consistent temperatures Sigma Aldrich of St. Louis - chemical manufacturer TechGuard Security of Chesterfield - provider of information network security products X-Com, Inc. of Warrensburg, - produces digital communications hardware and software for the Navy and other commercial applications and products Professional, Scientific and Technical Service Aegis Business Solutions LLC of Kansas City - offers solutions to business problems in information technology Brick City Custom Works of Mexico - custom motorcycle repair and service shop Gaskin, Hill, Norcross of Springfield - developer of a text messaging system Global Solutions Group of Fenton - network solutions, IT telephone and systems management firm H2O Technical Services, Inc., of Springfield, a provider of integrated water treatment services and applications Hammer Collections of Springfield - employs computer software and information technology to resolve and prevent payment delinquencies Language Solutions, Inc. of St. Louis - specializing in translation technology and multi-lingual communications services to assist other businesses reach a global market Logistical Resource Solutions of St. Louis - storage and inventory control Lytmos Group LLC of Lee's Summit - provides peer review and grants management support to organizations that sponsor high technology R&D Mobile Media Technologies, LLC of Kansas Ciy - wireless communications Nanova, Inc. of Columbia - researching biomaterials, materials, composites and medical devices to develop more reliable medical devices NEMS/MEMS Works LLC of Columbia - engineering researchers developing early-stage prototypes of nanotechnology delivery devices to target drug applications in patients with life-threatening conditions OsteoGeneX of Kansas City - drug research and biotech commercialization Paternity Testing Corporation of Columbia - forensic investigations, DNA profiling and parental identification P/Strada, LLC, of Kansas City - a consultant in bio-terrorism and homeland security Sign Designs of Joplin - designs and manufactures custom signs for large corporations and small businesses Technology and Networking of Cape Girardeau - computer technology and telecommunications sales and services The Vacation Channel of Branson - independent TV station providing tourism info Westinn Kennels of St. Charles - canine boarding and training facility Wren Associates, Ltd. of Jefferson City - provider of retail fraud detection systems

Accommodation & Food Services Bucks and Spurs Guest Ranch of Ava - working guest ranch Hot Box Cookies of Columbia - cookie bakery Nature's Window of Gladstone - catering Retail Trade Digital Technology and Surveillance of Nixa - security systems for schools and businesses The Herb Shop of Branson West - nutritional and supplement store Hensley Technologies, Inc. of Kansas City - supplying government agencies with high-tech electronic equipment Lee J. of St. Louis - fine men and women's clothing Educational Services Kim's Kids of St. Louis - day care/learning centers OCCU-TEC, Inc., of Kansas City - firm specializing in safety and environmental training Health & Social Services BENE-FIT Health and Fitness of Kansas City - fitness and health center Forum Home Health of St. Louis - in-home health care services Grace Weekend Clinic of Chillicothe - health clinic Luminomics of St. Louis - firm developing regenerative treatments for neurological diseases Optimal Lifestyles - of St. Louis - health/fitness consulting company My Zoo Animal Hospital of Columbia - veterinarian Construction Anderson Backhoe of Riverside - plumbing and site utility contractor BRK Electric of St. Louis - an electrical contractor DGR Associates of Belton - supplier of facility and housing maintenance Shaffer's Substation of Ellsinore - electrical substation construction business Starred clients were a part of the 2008 Client Showcase [more] Starred clients were a part of the 2006 Client Showcase [more] Starred clients were a part of the 2005 Client Showcase [more]

Visit the current Featured Entrepreneur